Emperor Xian Long Wei had informed General Bai Jian Yu that he would be visiting them today to formally ask for Zhan Chen's hand in marriage since he hadn't asked for Lady Bai's permission yet. The general was silent when he heard that and struggled to hold down his hand from pulling his sword and started to kill someone with the surname Xian. Even if the general looked grave and was about to murder someone, he still gritted his teeth and finally uttered a syllable, "En."
Xian Long Wei knew how hard it was for this loving father to allow a man to court his ger son and he was so nervous that General Bai would go back on his words.
But once he heard that forced, "En", he almost couldn't help himself from hugging the older man. Fortunately, he still remembered his position and the dark look from Bai Jian Yu himself stopped him.
So, today, adorning his most handsome, casual yet formal koi patterned black hanfu embroidered with highest quality of golden threads, Xian Long Wei put behind his grandiose yellow dragon robe to appear more sincere and yet handsome. He didn't want to look too formal in front of his Chen Chen's family.
Since, he didn't have a family, Xian Long Wei brought with him old Head Eunuch as his chaperon.
The Head Eunuch didn't ask anything as he just listened to what the Emperor ordered him to do. What he understood was, they were going to ask for some ger's hand in marriage.
Who is the ger?
His Majesty Xian Long Wei hadn't told him anything.
So, without knowing the candidate of Xian Dynasty's future Empress, Head Eunuch solemnly vowed to make sure that everything would move smoothly.
This is for the sake of Xian Dynasty's future heir ba!
It was the first time His Majesty was interested in someone and that ger must be someone great.
With that in his old mind, Head Eunuch boarded the second carriage behind the Emperor's carriage.
Together with the gifts, there were four carriages heading toward the General Bai's House. Though, it were four carriages, it didn't stand out much. They were only slightly bigger than normal.
It didn't take long for the journey to General Bai's house. After half an hour incense, they had arrived in front of the strong wooden gate.
The old Head Eunuch was surprised but he had heard before that His Majesty had brought some ger to his Palace. But, he didn't know that the ger would be General Bai's only ger son! This was a shock but also a pleasant surprise. General Bai's family was an upright people and it would be good for His Majesty to marry someone from Bai's family.
Old Head Eunuch watched from the window as one of the gatekeepers went to the coachman in the first carriage.
"May I know what is your business here?"
The coachman said in a steady voice, "The Emperor has an audience with General Bai."
At the same time, Emperor Xian Long Wei walked down from the carriage.
"Your Majesty!" the gatekeepers immediately kneeled down.
Xian Long Wei waved his hand, "Stand up. There is no need to kneel. Please tell General Bai that Zhèn has arrived."
"Also, Head Eunuch, please tell the men to bring the gifts with them. Be careful with the gifts."
Head eunuch who had came down before the emperor bowed a bit, "Yes, Your Majesty. This official understands Your Majesty's order."
One of the gatekeepers went to inform the household master and soon, General Bai, Lady Bai and Prime Minister Li went out to greet the emperor.
"Prime Minister Li, General Bai and Lady Bai. Zhèn hope this visit won't disturbing you three. It's nice to meet Prime Minister Li here, " Emperor Xian Long Wei smiled, he was surprised with the appearance of the Prime Minister but since they were all family, Lady Bai must have informed him.
"Your Majesty, we've been awaiting for your arrival," Bai Xiu Ying said, all smiles. He elbowed his frowning husband and glared up at Bai Jian Yu and Li Huizhong. "General Bai has informed us about the visit and we've prepared a feast for Your Majesty."
Both the father and grandfather spotted a dark look. Both of them smiled with gritted teeth as they escorted the son of heaven into the Bai's household.
Xian Long Wei felt distressed in his heart but it was good as long as they didn't protest aloud. He would make sure these two important men in Chen Chen's life accept him.
And soon, he too would be the most important man in Chen Chen's life.
But, he wondered if Zhan Chen already knew about his intention. He glanced around the visiting room waiting for that special person to appear.
"Xiao Chen is not here. I asked him to stay at his room," Bai Xiu Ying said knowingly when he saw Xian Long Wei was looking around subtlety. "It's better for us to discuss about this, later, we will tell Xiao Chen about this."
"What tell? We should ask Xiao Chen about his opinion ba." Bai Jian Yu heatedly said.
Li Huizhong, "En, this marriage matter is not only for one person. It needs two persons' agreement." The meaning underneath that sentence was, if Zhan Chen wasn't going to agree, then it would be cancelled.
It didn't matter if it was the Emperor or not.
"My lord, father." Bai Xiu Ying called the two men and gave them a glare to shut them up. He then turned to look at Xian Long Wei apologetically, "I'm sorry, Long Wei ah. These two old men still not willing to let go of Xiao Chen."
The so called two old men grumbled by the side as they frowned and shot a glare at the youngest man there.
Long Wei could only helplessly laugh as he lamented in his heart, 'looks like it will not be easy to win over father and grandfather.'
Xian Long Wei smiled as he gestured to Head Eunuch and the old man quickly instructed a few men to bring the gifts inside the room.
Boxes and boxes of gifts that were wrapped with the finest silk brought into the room and piled into a mountain.
A few selected boxes were put on the table before the servants moved out of the room.
The Bai's family, "These are..."
"To show my sincerity that I'm asking for Zhan Chen's hand in marriage, these are the gifts that I prepare for him. I also brought something for Prime Minister Li, General Bai and Lady Bai," Emperor Xian Long Wei smiled as he opened the nearest box. Prime Minister Li's presence was unexpected. Luckily, he had prepared early or else he wouldn't have anything to give Prime Minister Li.
Firstly, he gave the presents for all the three elders of Bai and Li. This was a 'bribe' Xian Long Wei had prepared for the three males. Lady Bai was really happy to receive the gift but General Bai and Prime Minister Li just gave their small thanks and didn't say anything else. It didn't work for the two men but Xian Long Wei had tried.
"I especially prepared these gifts for Zhan Chen," Xian Long Wei said as he pulled a wooden box covered in a finest silk.
Unboxing the beautifully craved wooden box, Xian Long Wei pulled a gold and white jade butterfly hairpin.
"Xiao Chen seemed to like the cherry blossom hairpin I gifted him last meeting, so, I've found the best craftsman to design this hairpin from the highest quality of gold and sheep fat jade," Xian Long Wei said as he held it for Lady Bai to look.
Bai Xiu Ying held it in his hands and marveled at the details. It looked so pretty and the butterfly looked alive.
Xian Long Wei opened another box with blue embroidered silk and pulled out a a gold bracelet with rare purple stones embedded around the bracelet.
Bai Xiu Ying couldn't help but be awed again. It was so beautiful and Long Wei had such a good taste for the jewellery. At the same time, Bai Jian Yu and Li Huizhong felt that Xian Long Wei was only trying to buy their Xiao Chen with gifts.
Lastly, Long Wei opened the last box with the intricate design of phoenix. The Bai's and Li shared a look amongst them and understood the seriousness of this matter.
Dragon indicated the Emperor.
And, Pheonix was the Empress.
Inside the square jade box was a red velvet cushion and on that cushion sat the precious item. The Pheonix Ring. This ring indicated how serious was Emperor Xian Long Wei's intention for Zhan Chen.
"Grandfather Li, Uncle Bai and Aunt Bai," Xian Long Wei started and paused as he bowed in sincerity. "Long Wei is serious to make Zhan Chen his Empress. To show my sincerity, Long Wei has prepared this Pheonix Ring from Long Wei's late mother Empress. If only Long Wei could dig my heart to show you how sincere is Long Wei and how much Long Wei loves Zhan Chen, I would. But, Long Wei couldn't and could only prepare this Pheonix Ring that signifies the next owner would be the Empress to show how serious is Long Wei."
The three people fell silent and stared at the youngest man's sincere look and words.
To make them to accept him more, Emperor Xian Long Wei vowed, "Also, Long Wei vows to never allow an harem in Long Wei's marriage. Zhan Chen would be the only ger in Long Wei's life. If Long Wei breaks this vow, may heaven will strike Long Wei."
As soon as the vow completed, a thunder could be heard to confirm the vow.
From the previous experience when the Emperor knelt down, they knew that heaven would listen to the son of heaven's words.
So, they believed that Xian Long Wei was very serious and he wouldn't break the vow he made or else the heaven would get outraged.
They had known the man ever since he was a child and he had never asked for anything and always been busy with reconstructing the empire after he was granted the Emperor title. He could have anything and anyone but he didn't indulge in the money and carnal pleasure like the others rulers.
He was like his father, the previous Emperor.
Li Huizhong was the first one to fill the silent room with his old but experienced firm voice, "This old man knows that falling in love couldn't be helped and it just comes abruptly."
Bai Jian Yu showed a trouble look at his father-in-law. His strongest supporter was showing the inclination to change side to the enemy. He wanted to protest but when his wife shot him a glare, he quickly pursed his lips in dissatisfaction.
"Well, since, you're already this sincere, aunt believes in you. Since, we're about to become a family, Long Wei could just call aunt, mother from now on."
Long Wei was so happy, that his dark eyes gleamed with happiness. "Thank you, mother," he shot an uncertain look at the old prime minister and when he received a nod, he began calling him, "grandfather."
Xian Long Wei then hesitantly glanced at the general who still looked unwilling, "father."
The older man still had a frown in between his eyebrows and his thin lips pursed in dissatisfaction.
"We will continue this matter when Xiao Chen agree to the marriage." Bai Jian Yu said firmly.
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